about LIz

I specialize in working with people who suffer from depression or anxiety, but whose public facing selves are high functioning. The weight of this bind can diminish our capacity to feel joy. Often times my clients initially report feeling disconnected. In our work together, we will find the beliefs and patterns that keep you stuck or in distress. Together, we will explore these places and discover ways to heal and grow beyond them. I think of therapy like a gym routine for your mind. By building up your reserves, we strengthen your resilience for life’s more pronounced ups and downs.

I am in a constant state of discovery about my own profession. I live and breathe this work. I spend much of my personal time reading, researching and attending continuing education in several advanced attachment based modalities. I am an integrative therapist in that I use what will work best for each individual client. I am strongly influenced by Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). This is a mouthful but what it boils down to is this: We quickly cut through the layers of content to address the underlying emotions. My passion is to get to the core of what ails you so that you can finally breathe free in your life again.

I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist with the Board of Behavioral Sciences in the state of California (license no. 53764). Please click here if you would like to verify my license. I have a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA.

You are welcome here

I work with individuals struggling with:

Chronic sadness and depression

Life transitions

Anxiety and stress

Personal growth

Trauma and childhood wounding

Relationship issues

Microaggressions due to societal marginalization

LGBTQQI

Spiritual issues

Psychotherapy provides a useful framework for you to connect with your deepest wisdom. My hope for you is to emerge with a vital force that facilitates loving relationships with yourself and others. Through your continued emotional exploration you will find a renewed sense of calm and connectedness with your body. Therapy can heighten your sense of clarity, strength and confidence. We will seek to awaken your creativity, and connect with your innate intuition and self-knowledge.

Together, we strive for a transformation that is longer lasting than the original issues that brought you here.

Payment / Insurance

Payment is expected at the time of service by a debit or credit card. The card will be securely held in an encrypted cloud service for future appointments or late cancellation fees. I also accept payments through flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA).

where are you located?

I am located in Mission Valley at 3333 Camino del Rio South Suite #215, San Diego CA. 92108

Before a first session, do I need to do anything?

YES, I strive to have a paperless practice. Before your first session you will be sent an email with a link to your individual client portal. Please follow the email link to fill out forms about my practice and answer a few questions about yourself. This helps us get to work in a timely fashion.

What is your non-insurance fee?

My rate is $180 per session.

How often would I come for sessions?

Generally, I see clients weekly. My clients tend to get the most benefit this way. Over time frequency may shift as we discover what rhythm is right for you.

Do you take Insurance

Yes, I partner with the following insurance company. Copays are due at the time of service.

TriCare West

If I do not take your insurance I can provide you with a monthly superbill. Many insurance plans will cover a portion of therapy services if you have out-of-network coverage. To find out if your insurance will cover a portion of your therapy fees, here are the questions to ask them:

Do I have out-of-network coverage for outpatient mental health benefits?

If so, what percentage of the fee do you reimburse?

Do I have a deductible and if so how much of it has been met?

How do I submit claims?

What kind of people do you work with?

My practice is diverse. I work with adults from a variety of cultural, economic backgrounds and spiritual traditions. I offer individual therapy and couples counseling with straight and LGBTQQI clients.

Is therapy confidential?

Everything you and I talk about in therapy is confidential. The only exceptions to confidentiality include, but are not limited to: reporting child, elder and dependent adult abuse; when a client makes a reasonable threat of violence towards a reasonably identifiable victim; when the client is dangerous to themselves, or another person, or when there is a court order. If confidentiality is a concern for you, please do not hesitate to bring this up with me at any time.

What is Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy?

"Many psychotherapies focus on the content of the stories that people tell about themselves, looking for insights that can be used to fix what’s wrong. By contrast, AEDP focuses on fostering awareness of the emotional life of the client as it unfolds in real time in front of the therapist. The therapist is actively affirming, emotionally engaged and supportive. She encourages the client to attend not only to his thoughts and emotions but also to the physical experience of those thoughts and emotions.”

Thank you, Hillary Jacobs Hendel, LCSW for this description of AEDP.

What is the difference between visiting a psychiatrist and psychotherapist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor trained in prescribing psychotropic medication. As a psychotherapist, you and I will do “talk therapy” with a goal of growth and changing behaviors that no longer serve you.

How long should I expect to be in therapy?

Basically, this is up to you. The length of therapy is truly a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the reason you are coming and what your goals are.

Why do people come to Therapy?

Therapy is a focused time where you can lay out all of your concerns with someone who wants to understand and help you find a way through them. It provides an opportunity to have someone who is on your side, can help you see your blind spots, supports healing from past experiences, and who wants to help you find your best self.

Although I help people who are in distress due to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and other issues, I also specialize in general personal growth and life transitions. Therapy can help us learn skills that create emotional health, improve relationships, and live a life aligned with our values and desires.

What happens if we meet and I feel like it’s not a good fit?

My goal is to help you be in touch with what is true for you - even if that includes working with someone else. I am happy to give you a referral to someone who I trust if we are not the right fit.